as in learned
suggestive of the vocabulary used in books
the novel's dialogue is a little too literary in flavor to be entirely convincing
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Recent Examples of literary
Maud Cuney Hare enriched Boston’s cultural and literary circles as an influential musicologist and educator.
—
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
One of these is known as ekphrasis: an extended depiction, within a literary work, of a work of art.
—Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
His literary collaborators include Michael Crichton, Bill Clinton, Viola Davis and Dolly Parton.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Her transition from naive country girl to literary force of nature and the toast of early 20th-century Paris, under Wash Westmoreland’s direction, is a joy to behold.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
One of these is known as ekphrasis: an extended depiction, within a literary work, of a work of art.
—Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
His literary collaborators include Michael Crichton, Bill Clinton, Viola Davis and Dolly Parton.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Her transition from naive country girl to literary force of nature and the toast of early 20th-century Paris, under Wash Westmoreland’s direction, is a joy to behold.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for literary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for literary
Adjective
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Scientists have long theorized that dogs possess an innate connection to humans that they are born with and predates any training or learned behaviors.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
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The scientists believe both these factors hint that this form of conflict resolution is a learned one, which is then adopted by younger apes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These experiences allow students to explore academic interests deeply while developing the intellectual vitality that selective colleges seek in applicants.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The backstory: In 1654, these some 7,500 acres of ancient woodlands and meadows were acquired by the aristocratic Clerk family (who still own it today), who quickly set about establishing it as a hub for the aesthetic and intellectual elite of their time.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Williams’ academic performance, extracurricular leadership, community service learning and essay on the impact of military service on the family earned her the award.—
Lena Miano,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2025
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Far from being a dry academic text, the book weaves real-world stories, business case studies, and actionable insights to make cultural intelligence accessible to leaders at every level.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The story is about a bookish Black girl, in love with English literature (and the emotionally indecipherable white professor teaching it) at a predominantly white university in 1949, losing her childhood illusions — and then, in a gothic twist, losing much more.—
Scott Brown,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2022
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Bryce Young is bookish, too.—
Joseph Goodman | jgoodman@al.com,
al,
9 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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The proud dad even shared John’s grades, showing screenshots of his 100% test scores in business law while shouting out Hill for their son’s scholastic success.—
Avalon Hester,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Golden Triangle administers the scholarships in cooperation with Mount Dora Community Trust. Award considerations include scholastic ability, responsibility toward education, financial need and includes a special emphasis on community service.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Read: Comedy’s most erudite buffoon Mulaney has many advantages at Netflix that his conventional-television peers don’t, however.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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In class that morning, I’d been called on to sight-translate a handful of lines by Gaius Valerius Catullus, the first-century-B.C.E. poet who, the professor had warned us, was among the most erudite and sophisticated, the most doctus, of all Roman writers.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Literary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/literary. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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